US PGA Championship / Paul Krishnamurty / 05 August 2010 /

Pete Dye has created a linksy monster on the banks of Lake Michigan with massive potential for dropped shots at every stage. Paul Krishnamurty is licking his lips at the prospect

It isn't often that a links fan such as myself looks forward more to the USPGA than the British Open, yet that is the case this year. For while St Andrews produced it's third consecutive dull Open, devoid of final day drama, the season's final major returns to arguably the best venue on it's rota, Whistling Straits.

They say there is no greater flattery than imitation, and this Pete Dye creation is an unashamed attempt to recreate the feel of a classic Scottish links. OK, it is surrounded by Lake Michigan rather than the sea, but it contains all the essential characteristics: deep pot bunkers, rough terrain, fescue grass, deep rough, massive sand dunes, exposure to wind. Whistling Straits even has a flock of Scottish Blackface sheep.

Traditionalists will doubtless disagree, but for me this linksy layout ranks up there with the best the UK has to offer. While the 'Home of Golf' has become vulnerable to improved golfing technology, Whistling Straits presents a thorough test for the modern player. Moreover, like other Pete Dye courses, there is plenty of drama to create the exciting finish that viewers and punters crave. The last four holes are as difficult as any closing stretch in golf. Just as Dye's most famous creation, Sawgrass, has the island green par-3 17th, the signature hole at Whistling Straits is another water-threatened par-3 17th, although at 223 yards this one isn't short by any means.

At 7,500 yards, this is a long par-72, with four par-4s measuring over 480 yards, including a potentially brutal 18th hole, and a 600 yard par-5. Nevertheless, when the tournament was last played here in 2004, there was no noticeable advantage to long-hitters. Avoiding the numerous hazards was far more important; as should be the case on a major layout, in my view. The 2004 PGA produced one of the most exciting finishes in recent majors history, with Vijay Singh winning a three-way play-off against Justin Leonard and Chris Dimarco. Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson also held big chances down the stretch, and in-running punters had a field day. Twelve players finished within three of the lead.

The prominence of Leonard and Dimarco, plus top-ten finishers Chris Riley and Paul McGinley, proved that short-hitters are not disadvantaged. As Dye would doubtless have hoped there was a correlation with British Open form. Leonard and Els are former Open champions, and many of the main protagonists from the previous month's Open at Troon were there or thereabouts once again. Ernie, Mickelson and to a lesser extent KJ Choi all played a prominent role in both majors.

From a stats perspective, I expect greens in regulation and scrambling will be the key. The 2004 leaderboard was packed with good ball-strikers, and inaccuracy was severely penalised throughout. If memory serves, that weakness put paid to Tiger Woods' chance, as he spent most of the week trying in vein to recover from wayward drives. In short, we're looking for an experienced, top-class ballstriker, with good links form, preferably who fared well at the last Open. In my view, it all points to one man... Lee Westwood.

Three Key Holes

Hole 2, "Cross Country"
At 593 yards, this par-5 is just about within range for most players, but the decision of whether to attack the green in two is a tricky call. The approach into this green is narrow, and threatened by a series of deep pot-bunkers. Expect to see a wide range of scores here between 3 and 7, and don't be surprised if those laying up fare best.

Hole 17, "Pinched Nerve"
The signature hole is a masterpiece. With the daunting presence of Lake Michigan on the left, and very deep pot-bunkers and sand dunes surrounding the green, the title is well justified. A hole that could turn the final round on it's head.

Hole 18, "Dyeabolical"
Even if surviving 17, this 500-yard par-4 will present another fierce test of the leader's bottle. Unless prepared to take on a 300-yard off the tee to carry the bunkers, players will face a long-iron approach to an exposed green. Again true to Dye's form, there is a exciting stadium atmosphere for this finale, with huge crowds gathered around the final green.

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